Variax HD 2.0 firmware - no thanks.

Started by Elantric, September 02, 2013, 10:10:54 AM

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Elantric

After spending more time on the new Tyler HD 2.0 firmware update and playing all the new "improved models"  - I'm reverting back to old 1.9 firmware.
So When recommending products  - be sure to state the firmware version too!

For the past 10 years Ive been using Line6 Variax products - not because I prefer the sound - simply because I prefer the Variax's Real time User controls compared to Roland VG-99/ GR-55 and the ease with which I can substitute a Tyler Variax for a regular guitar in my Live gig rig at the last minute. ( when I'm told there's  a 50/50 chance the first set will have to have an acoustic " unplugged" tone for lower volume.)

Until recently either old Variax or Tyler Variax or  VG-99 or GR-55 could deliver Guitar Modeling tones that were similar to each other and in the ball park to the real guitar they were modeling. ( I should know as I do own or have access to all the actual guitar types modeled)

But this new Tyler Variax HD 2.0 is a real step backwards for my uses - I cant find , see, or hear anything in HD 2.0  to recommend it over the old 1.9  firmware. In fact its mostly several steps backwards and the time it takes to get HD 2.0 back in the ballpark is better spent using a JTV with old 1.9 firmware and writing a new song  - something productive. It borders on being an insult to Tyler Variax Owners  as it only serves to confirm prior suspicions on their hearing and lack of experience (how can you live in 2014 yet never played a real Strat?)

This is a case where using a product strictly for convenience (while "living with" its sound) turns into a high risk of public exposure of HD 2.0 poor Guitar tones and possible no future work. 

   

Ive said it before but the following still holds true.

Line6 lost a large brain pool when the principal Variax / Vetta design crew all departed Line6 in 2004 to start Damage Control / Strymon.

http://www.damagecontrolusa.com/about.php
Article on Dave Fruehling - before he left Line 6 late 2004:
http://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/devices/dream-jobs-2004/Fruehling

I do Look at the Line6 Job board each month - and Ive seen a steady stream of turnover in the R&D lab 
http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH09/ats/careers/searchResults.jsp?org=LINE6&cws=1



- Hopefully they will get some talent and get back into the game soon. but HD 2.0 is like the "emperor's new clothes" parable to me.

Throughout the forum here - I mention I own bulk of the products we talk about, but I "currently" use Line6 gear at the gig  - for robust connections and ease of use.

But the HD 2.0 tone is not workable for my needs  - without allocating lots of time in Variax Workbench HD to just try to get these new 2.0 models in the same ballpark tonewise as the old 1.9 Models that worked for me.
also the current issue of requiring the Workbench USB adapter to run Tyler Workbench HD (instead of HD-500X) really slows me down and requires more gear to keep track of.

This HD 2.0 might be the deal breaker that makes me dust off my VG-99 or add a FX loop to my GR-55 and use that  - and forget all about being stuck this infinite loop of waiting for Line6 firmware updates that actually improve sound, not make it worse  with 2 new features, while they clobber bulk of the  important functions I need everyday. Life is too short.

Without making any attacks - I wonder what the DSP engineer and his product manager were smoking when they released the new HD 2.0 firmware with this sorry excuse for a Strat ("Spank Model) and Tele "Widerange" - is just a clean flat frequency response straight piezo sound - sounds nothing like a '68 Fender Tele Thinline like (Johnny Lang's) with large Fender humbuckers.

It really strikes me that Line6 Product Management enforced a Tyler Variax  HD 2.0 firmware release schedule to meet an arbitrary upper management "drop dead"- date release schedule, irregardless of bugs or incomplete models.   

germanicus

Im also annoyed with the new 2.0.
I would prefer if they gave us the capacity to load some of the removed models.

However, Im still using 2.0, as I like having some 12 string models that are not possible without the new workbench compatibility (12 string resonator and 12 string Danelectro Baritones are a lot of fun).

I will upload my modified models later, you may find them satisfactory.

Even with my disappointment in the 'New' Strat and 335, I prefer the guitar modeling strongly over rolands, especially in regards to the acoustics. I feel similarly about L6's amp modeling, which as a result to the improvement and tweak options, ive found to be as deep/versatile as any amp modeling in the vg99.

My albums done with modeling/guitar synth at http://music.steamtheory.com

JTV69/59P/Godin LGXT/Multiac ACS/Variax 700 AC
Helix/FTP/GP10/VG99/SY1000
Traynor k4

whippinpost91850

Elantric After listening to you shootout of the 1.9 and the 2.0 update and all the others on Utube , I'm a little hesitant to keep the JTV89 I just got. Befor I gut it and make a new lefty body I gotta know it's gonna work better then the GR55 for the sound and altrnate tuning. I also don't think I want to but a Pod Hd 500 just to MIDI switch to the different settings. This is quite a "Quandry" I've got myself into. Like you beginning to think the Gr55 mod might be a better way to go  ???

GuitarBuilder

Looks like Damage Control didn't work out either.......were their pedals any good?
"There's no-one left alive, it must be a draw"  Peter Gabriel 1973

Elantric

#4
QuoteLooks like Damage Control didn't work out either.......were their pedals any good?

Might read the links
http://www.damagecontrolusa.com/about.php
takes you here: - new company name is Strymon (which is a name familiar to a few folks here)
http://www.strymon.net/about/

aliensporebomb

A friend of mine says the El Capistan is one of the nicest delay pedals he's ever owned.  I've been wanting to try one just because I hear it sounds great.
My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

GK Devices:  Roland VG-99, Boss GP-10, Boss SY-1000.

Toby Krebs

@-Elantric- A hacked GR55 and a couple of really good o.d./dist. pedals in the loop is a pretty cool thing. Number 1-it's small-Number  2-it sounds great! Number 3-it's tough as nails build wise. Looking inside my M13 and HD300 made me want to never use them live. I recently had a mode switching problem with my M13 in the studio of all places at the beginning of a 9 hour session with budgets being over run etc...IT WAS HORRIBLE!!! Power supply problems keep me away from Line 6 for live use and after that experience I won't be using that stuff live or in the studio for a while. None of my Roland/Boss gear has ever failed me. Not once. As far as tones go yeah the Line 6 amps are cool and the Variax demos may have slightly better acoustics but for live use no one knows the difference and I know you are a live real time player like me. Personally I don't need super convincing acoustics and Dr.Z boutique amp models. The acoustics in the GR55 are very good. I need a good model of a Twin(GR55 has it in spades) a good vintage Marshall(GR55 again nails it) and a Vox or Boogie(GR55 does those well too) and that's it.Some good keyboard tones and some jazz guitars(GR55 has killer Gibson L4 and 335 models) fill out the rest for me and I do all the other stuff with my hands!

germanicus

My albums done with modeling/guitar synth at http://music.steamtheory.com

JTV69/59P/Godin LGXT/Multiac ACS/Variax 700 AC
Helix/FTP/GP10/VG99/SY1000
Traynor k4